Boo: Way Back WhensDay: Monster Cereals

Wednesday

Oct 2, 2013 at 5:35 PM

The retro versions of the Monster Cereals

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

Growing up one of my favorite cereals was Count Chocula. To this day, it remains one of my favorites, but I like the old school version better with the chocolate bat-shaped marshmallows. But the Count and his band of merry cereal men are now in short supply. Since 2010, General Mills has only produced the Monster Cereals during the fall months.

The Monster Cereals today

For the first time ever this fall all FIVE monster cereals are being sold. I vividly remember the Count, as well as Franken Berry and Boo-Berry, but I have no recollection of Fruit Brute (a werewolf) and Fruity Yummy Mummy. Fruit Brute was fruit flavored with lime flavored marshmallows. It's now got a cherry taste to it (I still haven't tried it though). Fruity Yummy Mummy was also fruit flavored, but had vanilla marshmallows. It now has an orange cream flavor.

The prize inside

Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry were in the rotation of our breakfast for years. Although Boo Berry was less popular with us, we were regular fans of the chocolate and strawberry versions. Like most cereals coated in sugar and served up with a side of marshmallows, the monster creations always came with a cool prize in the box. I can still remember listening to the Monster Adventures in Outer Space record. Yes, I said record.

Nutritionally, the Monster Cereals do little good for you. Basically, it's junk food. But in recent years General Mills cut sugar from 15 grams per serving to nine, which is a good start. That being said, dietitians are still concerned about the dyes the cereals contain and the lack of fiber. While I don't regularly feast on sugary cereals, I still maintain most things in moderation are still okay. I may have to try the Fruity versions this fall.

The retro versions of the Monster Cereals
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

Growing up one of my favorite cereals was Count Chocula. To this day, it remains one of my favorites, but I like the old school version better with the chocolate bat-shaped marshmallows. But the Count and his band of merry cereal men are now in short supply. Since 2010, General Mills has only produced the Monster Cereals during the fall months.

The Monster Cereals today
For the first time ever this fall all FIVE monster cereals are being sold. I vividly remember the Count, as well as Franken Berry and Boo-Berry, but I have no recollection of Fruit Brute (a werewolf) and Fruity Yummy Mummy. Fruit Brute was fruit flavored with lime flavored marshmallows. It's now got a cherry taste to it (I still haven't tried it though). Fruity Yummy Mummy was also fruit flavored, but had vanilla marshmallows. It now has an orange cream flavor.

The prize inside
Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry were in the rotation of our breakfast for years. Although Boo Berry was less popular with us, we were regular fans of the chocolate and strawberry versions. Like most cereals coated in sugar and served up with a side of marshmallows, the monster creations always came with a cool prize in the box. I can still remember listening to the Monster Adventures in Outer Space record. Yes, I said record.

Nutritionally, the Monster Cereals do little good for you. Basically, it's junk food. But in recent years General Mills cut sugar from 15 grams per serving to nine, which is a good start. That being said, dietitians are still concerned about the dyes the cereals contain and the lack of fiber. While I don't regularly feast on sugary cereals, I still maintain most things in moderation are still okay. I may have to try the Fruity versions this fall.

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